Short answer – it does! But let’s give it a bit more context.

How much do you really think when it comes to garden borders? Not a lot, right? If the answer is “not much”, then you’re one of many. A few stones here, a row of boxwoods there, and that’s it – you’re done. But what if the edges of your garden could do more than just ‘look nice’? Perhaps they could add a bit of flavor to your food, they could even attract pollinators (which is useful), and they could even keep those nasty pests away, too? That wouldn’t be bad, would it now?

That’s what you get when you swap the usual border plants for herbs, berries, and other edible plants. It’s a very practical upgrade because you’re already watering, weeding, and planning the layout, so why not get a bit more out of it? 

Another perk of edible borders is that they’re super easy to maintain.

In this article, we’ll go over how you can ‘upgrade’ your garden borders with edible plants; and why!

Materials and Prep Work

Before you start planting, you need to put in a little groundwork. Literally. First, take a look at your soil. You’ll want to test it to see what nutrients it has and whether the pH is right for the plants you want to add. Most edible herbs and berries do best in loamy, well-draining soil that’s rich in organic matter. If you’re building raised borders, this becomes even more important. 

The soil mix you choose should hold moisture without getting soggy. This is especially true for herbs like lavender, thyme, and oregano, which absolutely despise having wet feet. 

To keep them happy, you can layer some crushed stone or coarse sand under the topsoil to help with drainage. If I were trying to find the right mix of topsoil, compost, gravel, basically landscape supplies near me, I’d look them up online to find the closest suppliers/stores near where I live and compare what’s locally available.

Once the soil is sorted, think about how you’ll keep it all in place. Edging stones, recycled bricks, or even simple treated wood can do the trick, just make sure they follow the slope of your yard so water drains away from the roots, not into them. 

Also, don’t forget sun exposure, because most edibles love full sun, so the best spot is usually the one that faces west or south. In addition to this, remember to group your plants by how much light and water they need, and don’t overcrowd.

Give each plant room to breathe; for example, rosemary and sage like about 18 to 24 inches of space, while smaller herbs like thyme or chives like to be a bit closer together. 

Best Edible Plants That Work as Garden Borders

Now that we have the basics out of the way, let’s see which plants are ideal for garden borders. 

Chives

Chives are simple, but effective. They grow in neat clumps and their thin green stems add a fresh, tidy look to any edge. In the spring and early summer, they send up purple flowers that not only look good but also keep some pests away. 

Chives are hardy perennials, which means that once you plant them, they’ll keep coming back every year with minimal effort. They love full sun and well-draining soil. 

Lavender

If your garden gets a lot of sun and you like a little fragrance, lavender is a no-brainer. This drought-tolerant herb brings a silvery tone to the edge of your garden bed and gives off a calming scent that lingers in the air. Its beautiful purple flowers bloom in midsummer, and bees, butterflies, and other pollinators simply adore them. 

At the same time, lavender helps keep aphids away, so it’s useful as a companion plant. Just give it room to breathe and don’t overwater. 

Strawberries (Ever-bearing)

Ever-bearing strawberries keep fruiting through most of the growing season and give you repeated harvests. Their low-growing habit, adorable white flowers, and bright red fruit add a pop of color at the base of beds or containers. You can plant them along raised beds, under taller plants, or even in decorative patio planters. 

Thyme (Creeping Varieties)

Creeping thyme is excellent for edging because it hugs the ground tightly and doesn’t need a lot of maintenance. It spreads into dense mats and produces tiny purple flowers that soften the edges of beds, paths, or stone borders. 

This type of thyme is especially useful between pavers or close to gravel paths where other plants might struggle. Once it’s established, it practically takes care of itself. 

Blueberries (Dwarf or Patio Varieties)

If you have a bit more space or you want a border with more height, dwarf blueberries are a great choice. They grow in compact shrubs and produce spring flowers, summer fruit, and bright red or orange foliage in the fall. 

They need acidic soil and regular watering, but if they’re in the right spot, they’re both beautiful and productive. 

Conclusion

Who doesn’t want to grab a handful of herbs or berries on the way back from taking out the trash? That’s what you could have with edible garden borders. Plus, with edible plants, your garden borders will be anything but boring and basic. 

Start small, test a few combos, and watch your edges come alive!